Most first-year students were forced to suddenly adapt to the uncharted territory of online learning. A year since, in this article, I will go the challenges I have overcome and reflect on my year of online learning.

I am sure I speak for every person in my year group when I say that I never imagined spending the first year of my degree without ever stepping foot into campus. The thought of having to do online learning for my degree was unsettling.

While there were many worries and uncertainties, with the support of my lecturers and classmates, I learned many life lessons. In reflection, online learning has helped me grow in ways I did not expect to.

Pushing my Comfort Zone

After years of your studies being led by teachers, it can be hard to encapsulate just how much control you gain over your learning in university.

The jump from English A-Level to English BA is certainly jarring. For a reserved person like me, seminars were a daunting change with the expectation to lead discussions. Though it was difficult at first, I pushed myself to contribute to every seminar and provide insightful points. I did not expect to gain so much confidence and assurance in my opinions and I am so glad I encouraged myself to be more vocal. In reflection, public speaking has definitely become a lot easier over the past year.

Self-Discipline is a Must

It is very tempting to think that time is infinite during online learning, and therefore, procrastinate in bed for eons.

Coursework deadlines quickly drag you back to reality and you can easily become overwhelmed – especially if you are unused to having so much free time and lack of a rigid schedule. I imagine that online learning is just as demanding as learning on campus and so it is vital to discipline yourself and structure your time effectively. Personally, I began bullet journaling to both manage my time and have a creative outlet to relax.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Still, while you are more responsible over your learning, it is okay to ask for help from your classmates. It can easily feel like you are drowning with information and online learning certainly makes it a challenge for you to compartmentalise dates and tasks you need to achieve.

It’s not embarrassing to reach out; you shouldn’t be jeopardising your mental health and carrying all your burdens alone. Although the pandemic has made physical social events impossible, we still found ways to connect and grow closer which was really heart-warming.

Overall…

Surprisingly, I was overcome with a sense of emptiness after submitting my last exam. Months of intense work flew by and for a moment, I had a weird feeling that I lost my purpose. My final reflection on online learning is that it is very easy to be wrapped into endless cycles of study when your bedroom is a lecture hall, library and study room in one. Through patience and perseverance, I feel that I have ultimately thrived this year and I am both nervous and excited to finally go to campus in September.